Resources

The GST network aims to fill persistent information gaps in understanding the importance of gender and social inclusion issues within trade and investment policy making and programming. The GST network has developed an initial database of knowledge products to be discussed, shared and disseminated which can be filtered by category, as outlined below. This is a living database that will be updated as new materials become available. If there is something you would like added to the database, please do not hesitate to let us know.

As a basic resource, we refer you to the GST Glossary of Trade and Gender terms. It includes key terms used in trade as well as gender policies and negotiations.

Training resources: Entries include actual course materials for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes that address gender equality in international trade. UNCTAD is the main but not the only provider of training materials.

Background materials: Wide range of briefing materials, substantive analytical studies and access to data on the relation between trade and gender equality assisting those seeking a deeper understanding of the justification for and challenges to formulating and implementing gender and trade policies.

Development organisations: Mission statements or objectives in respect of gender equality as defined by intergovernmental international, multilateral, or regional organisations engaged in making or advising on policies for economic development.

Associations and NGOs: Selected civil society organisations’ positions on GESI and trade, information on the main global and regional networks and international NGOs motivated by gender equality as a rights-based concern in the field of trade, and information on international business associations which seek to promote women’s small and medium scale engagement in international trading.

Select the kind of material you are looking for:

Organization	Content	Comments
UNIDO	Guide on mainstreaming gender in trade capacity building projects.	Covers all stages of industrial capacity building projects (design, training, implementation, monitoring and evaluation) special reference to quality infrastructure and product certification processes for trading internationally.
World Customs Organization	Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool.	Looks inward into gender equality employment conditions within the WCO itself and for outward-facing services by customs officials.
UNCTAD	UNCTAD Policy Brief on Gender Provisions in Trade agreements.	Argues for both ex ante assessments and inclusion of gender equality trade instruments.
FAO	FAO e-learning courses on agriculture in international trade agreements.	Is for government officials private sector participants and researchers interested in WTO and regional agreements on agriculture.
European Union	Introductory page to EU Sustainability Impact Assessment methodology and reports carried out to date.
WTO	Programme of March 2019 WTO Workshop on Gender in Trade Agreements with links to presentations.
UNCTAD Virtual Institute Teaching Material on trade and gender	Course description and application form for upcoming 6 week long online course on trade and gender.	The Trade Gender and Development Programme is organizing a new edition of its online course on trade and gender.
Ethical Trade Initiative	Papers blogs and notices of courses on ways of monitoring and improving gender equality and working conditions in Global Value Chains.	ETI is a public-private membership organisation of governments and businesses engaged in international supply chains. Material is mainly intended for managers engaged in supply chains but also useful for governments and researchers.
FAO	Developing gender-equitable legal frameworks for land tenure.	Included as an example of a guidebook to the kind of 'beyond the border' measures required to reduce gendered structural inequalities in rural economies.
UNCTAD	Gender and Trade toolbox.	Presents a framework to assess ex-ante the impact of trade reforms on women and gender inequalities. The methodology is applied to a specific trade agreement, the EPA between the EU and the East African Community (EAC), for the case of Kenya focussing on changes in employment.
FAO	FAO e-learning courses social analysis.	Is for project planners and managers.
European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE)	Set of guides and practical tools and data needs for gender mainstreaming in different policy domains.	Provides expertise and technical support on a diverse range of gender-related topics including replicating monitoring methods and tools used in the EU and a guide to further resources.
European Parliament	Resolution 13.03.2018 on Gender equality in EU Trade Agreements.
UNCTAD	Making trade policies gender-responsive: data requirements and methodological developments.	Lays out the data requirements for using the four-stage gender Toolbox for national gender analyses and ex-ante gender assessments of new trade agreements.
UNCTAD	Examines the implications for gender equality of the transparency provisions in the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus.
ITC	ITC's Gender Equity Guidelines.	Guidance on how trade and investment support organisations can better support gender equity. ITC is the international agency formed jointly by WTO and UNCTAD to promote practical interventions to support trade expansion.
FAO	2004 'state of the art' paper on Agriculture trade negotiations and gender.	Most recent comprehensive overview of the topic.
WTO	Speech of the Director General on gender-related elements and approaches in trade agreements.
UNCTAD Virtual Institute Teaching Material on trade and gender	Course description and application form for upcoming 6 week long online course on trade and gender.	The Trade Gender and Development Programme is organizing a new edition of its online course on trade and gender.
WB - Community of Practice (CoP) for Finance Ministers on Gender Equality	Record on discussions on the economics of and best practices in promoting gender equality policies from a public finance perspective.	Created to meet demand from a number of finance ministers for a southern-led dialogue on how to make finance ministry tools more effective in supporting women’s and girls’ opportunities.
Government of Canada	Feature on how trade negotiators incorporated a Trade and Gender chapter in the modernized Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement providing a model for all future progressive free trade agreements.	A set of training and guidance materials for officials on requirements for implementing Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy in different domains.
DFID/UKAid	DFID Strategic Vision for Gender Equality.
WTO/OMC	English version of the WTO Buenos Aires Declaration 2017.
WTO/OMC	French version of the WTO Buenos Aires Declaration 2017.
WTO/OMC	Spanish version of the WTO Buenos Aires Declaration 2017.
European Parliament	Report on gender equality in EU trade agreements, by INTA.
Global Affairs Canada	Summary of Initial Gender-based Analysis Plus for Canada Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Negotiations.
ITC SheTrades	SheTrades Outlook Roundtable and Pilot Workshop in Jamaica.
Inter American Development Bank (IADB)	No policy statements or introductory note on gender dimension in trade. Six trade projects have a gender dimension (as link). Technical note on incorporating a gender lens in trade by Zamora et al (2012).
International Labour Organisation	The ILO has a large programme of work and analysis on the topic of gender equality in employment, working conditions and women's empowerment. It maintains the most comprehensive international database on employment and labour markets (ILOSTAT) and a large publications database. It covers employment in exporting sectors.	Brings together governments employers and workers of 187 member States to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.
ITC	ITC publications on Women and Trade focussing on women entrepreneurs and export opportunities for their businesses.	The ITC is an international body set up jointly by the WTO and UNCTAD to support practical interventions to increase global trade. ITC’s Women and Trade Programme aims to increase the economic benefits for businesswomen in developing countries by involving them in international trade.
European Commission - DG DEVCO	EU Gender Action Plan Implementation Report 2017, Annex 9 Gender and Trade.
World Bank Group	Information on trade is provided describing programmes on Global Value Chains and trade logistics.	Gender and Trade are two large work programmes of the World Bank. However, there is minimal overlap or interaction between the two. Thus under Global Value Chains links are given to an official publication, training and capacity building activities etc, but there is no mention of promoting gender equality.
The Commonwealth	An equal seat at the table feature on gendering trade negotiations.	The Commonwealth is an intergovernmental body with 54 member countries.
European Union	Introductory page to all EU policies and activities on gender and trade including papers, reports and workshops also with women's organisations from countries in trade negotiations.
ESCAP	Prominent programme of work on gender equality for national level policymaking. Introduced the world's first 'gender bond' to facilitate gender lens investing (finance to women's businesses in the region). Gender and Trade search links to work of other organisations.
APEC	News, events, statements on promotion of gender equality policy at national level. Main focus on support for women exporters.	The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific. APEC aims to create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration.
ITC	SheTrades is the ITC's most high-profile gender equality promotion intervention. It manages a global platform linking buyers with women business suppliers across international borders. It also helps corporations to include more women entrepreneurs in their supply chains.	The ITC's SheTrades is a platform that aims to stimulate economic benefits for businesswomen by involving them in international trade. The SheTrades initiative is the main programme intervention.
WTO	Links to academic and policy papers agendas and presentations given to WTO conferences and workshops, notably Conference on WTO Declaration.	Gender and trade is a recent addition to the WTO secretariat work programme but now a substantial programme of work with a gender focal point (trade-gender@wto.org).
World Bank Group	Provides comprehensive information related to gender and development, offers an overview of the Bank's strategy and activities in promoting gender equality, incl. monitoring reports and information on external partnerships. It provides gender data and statistics on gender issues, publications, news list of gender sites and other useful resources.	Gender and Trade are two large work programmes of the World Bank. However, there is minimal overlap or interaction between the two. Thus, under Global Value Chains links are given to official publications, training and capacity building activities etc, but there is no mention of promoting gender equality.
African Union - Women Gender and Development (WGDD)	AU Strategy for Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment 2018-2028. Gender Country Profile. News & events: launch of UNDP and AUC implement an African Young Women Leaders Fellowship program.
Asian Development Bank (ADB)	ADB has a Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development department and puts resilience and inclusive among its strategic objectives but has no discernable focus on gender and trade. The ADB Institute commissioned a 2017 paper on Trade and Women.
UNCTAD	The Trade Gender and Development Programme is part of the Division on International Trade and Commodities (DITC). General inquiries: gender@unctad.org.	UNCTAD supports member countries in integrating gender considerations in their trade policy formulation, implementation and in the negotiation of agreements on trade and other issues at the multilateral, regional and bilateral levels.
UNWomen	UNWomen hosts the Commission on the status of Women, the global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.	Enquiries on gender and trade are referred to the work of UNCTAD.
ECLAC/CEPAL	Gender Affairs is one of the primary Work Areas in ECLAC, gender and trade enters under the Topic: women's economic autonomy. Chapter 3 of the 2019 flagship report examines the impact of globalisation on the economic autonomy of women throughout the region.
African Development Bank (AfDB)	ADB has keen interest in financing and support for women entrepreneurs and traders but search for gender and trade refers to events and initiatives of other organisations.
UNECA	UNECA has an active programme of work and analysis on gender equality and in relation to economic activity a focus on women's businesses. Work on gender and trade is addressed within the subsidiary 'African Trade Policy Centre' since 2018.
WTO/OMC	Gender - relatede provisions in Regional Trade Agreements.
European Commission - DG TRADE	Female participation in EU exporting activities: Jobs and Wages.
ProChile	Spanish Version: Estudio de Brechas y Barreras de género para la exportación en empresas lideradas por mujeres.
WIDE+ Trade and Gender Working Group	How to transform EU trade policy to protect women’s rights.
House of Commons - International Trade Committee	Trade and the Commonwealth: developing countries.
ECLAC/CEPAL	Gender equality in LA and Caribbean in general and special insights on women in trade and finance, digital trade and the care economy.	ECLAC publication launched on the occasion of the Regional Conference on Women in January 2020
Action Aid UK	Describes programmes and events publication "From Rhetoric to Rights: Gender-Just Trade."	Action Aid promotes women's and girls rights in 3 areas: violence against women, economic empowerment and humanitarian support. Under empowerment it has published "Gender Just Trade".
The African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET)	Website shares experiences information and strategies among African women's NGOs, Women's development and gender equality through advocacy, training and communications. Aspires to strategically link national regional and global level activities.	Is a pan- African membership-based feminist network based in Nairobi with over 700 members across 46 African countries. Interest in the economy and regional/continental integration but no specific programme/activities on trade.
IWEC Foundation	Organisational materials, member log-ins includes some relevant background materials (e-g. the content on this link is based on a study of AfCFTA by UNECA).	The IWEC Foundation is a Global Non-for-Profit Organization that Helps Women-Owned Businesses Connect and Grow. Members include businesswomen from 42 countries.
Women in Informal Employment (WIEGO)	Annual Reports videos and numerous papers and publications illustrating extent and nature of informal work in cities and selected sectors including 'global care chains' and work on e.g. Collective bargaining in informal sector work.	A long-standing influential global action-research-policy network of individuals and institutions. Seeks to increase the voice and visibility of informal workers especially women at local, national and global levels. Works especially in focal cities: Accra, Lima, Delhi, Mexico City and Dakar.
The Eastern African Sub-Regional Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women (EASSI)	EASSI is cooperating with the East African Women in Business Platform to create awareness and compliance of trade facilitation policies with global gender equality standards and enhance women’s participation in regional and international trade.	Sub-regional non-profit organisation that strengthens the capacity of women and civil society organisations in governance, leadership, economic empowerment, policy advocacy initiatives and peace and security. Member organizations in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Somalia.
Association of Women in International Trade (WIIT)	Notice of events and opportunities for mentoring, award talks, professional development across geographical regions and economic sectors.	It works to promote the professional development of women in international trade and business and to raise public awareness of the importance of international trade to economic development. Individual and corporate memberships.
Uganda Women Entrepreneurs Association Limited (UWEAL)	Participated in Women in Trade Project. Participates in ITC's ACCESS for African Businesswomen in International Trade.	Supports women entrepreneurs through the provision of business development services and advocating for enabling environments that meet the specific needs of women in Uganda.
Gender and Trade Coalition	History of past activism on trade and development and contemporary research agenda. Essays on gender and trade in resource section.	Formed in the aftermath of the 2017 WTO Declaration in order to put forward feminist trade analysis and advocate for equitable trade policy. Steering Group has 14 organisational members. Global outreach.
Ethical Trade Initiative	Programmes to improve employment conditions, international gender and work standards, women SMEs in garment Global Value Chains initiatives.	Is a multi-party initiative between the UK government, private companies, NGOs and labour unions all working to promote CSR objectives in respect of gender, Global Value Chains trading and employment conditions etc.
World Association of Women Entrepreneurs (FCEM)	The site provides links to member associations (Associations Platform). It includes an Internet platform (CandGo Entrepreneurs Platform) that provides a virtual office to SMEs with online tools for commercial management marketing, promotion and communications and international visibility through their presence in the B2B world.	Comprises member affiliate and observer organizations in over forty countries. It aims at promoting women's entrepreneurial initiatives and reinforcing national associations of women business owners.
Gender and Trade Coalition	Statement of mission meeting reports and resources including several research and policy analytical papers.	A 200 member coalition to put forward feminist trade analysis and advocate for equitable trade policy. It seeks to shape a trade justice agenda as an alternative to the neo-liberal trade framework.
Action Aid UK	Describes programmes and events publication "From Rhetoric to Rights: Gender-Just Trade."	Action Aid promotes women's and girls rights in 3 areas: violence against women, economic empowerment and humanitarian support.
Red de género y comercio	Events and activities.	Is a Latin American regional initiative includes women interested in the differential effects of economic policies and trade agreements and role of corporations and other economic and social actors. It connects with other women's organizations in favor of policies that promote economic justice and gender equity.
tralac Women in Trade Governance Network	Inaugural Women in Trade Governance development programme July 2019. Twelve future leaders in trade governance gathered to network, learn and reflect. They are the core of tralac's WiTG network.	WiTG targets female professionals working in trade policy and governance with the aim to build technical capacity in international trade governance to support professional skills development and to enhance women’s participation in trade governance across the continent.
Women inside Trade	Blog on international trade topics. Interview with Arancha Gonzalez also featured.	Dialogue and networking group. Directed at international trade community and giving visibility to women's achievement in international trade.
International Women's Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC)	A business association for mutual support in trade. Trade resource section is members-only.	Global Non-for-Profit Organization to support successful midsize women-owned businesses gain and expand access into international markets.
Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE)	Task force on Gender and Trade but no publically available information on site.	Closed network of Gender Focal Points in United Nations offices, specialized agencies funds and programmes. Chaired by UN Women. UN Women also serves as the Secretariat for the Network.
International Gender Champions Trade Impact Working Group	Statement of the WTO Declaration notices of future relevant meetings and workshops links to past conferences and seminars.	International Gender Champions initiated the WTO 2017 Declaration on women and trade. The Working Group pursues the objectives of the IGC in the field of trade policy.
Asia Pacific Forum on Women Law and Development	Women Interrogating Trade & Corporate Hegemony program focuses on building the capacity of women's rights organisations to understand the impact of trade and investments rules on women's human rights.	APWLD is a member of the Gender and Trade Coalition. Accepts organisational and individual members. APWLD developed from dialogues among women lawyers, social scientists and activists from Asia Pacific.
International Gender Champions (IGC)	Notice of events and opportunities for mentoring awards talks, professional development across geographical regions and economic sectors.	Is a leadership network comprising heads of International Organizations, Permanent Missions and Civil Society Organizations who are determined to make gender equality a working reality in their spheres of influence. It in Geneva (July 2015).
Gender and Development Network (GADN)	Briefing 07/2017: Making trade work for gender equality.	GADN brings together NGOs, consultants, academics and individuals committed to working on gender development and women’s rights issues. Global outreach.
Federation of Woman Entrepreneurs’ Associations of Nepal (FWEAN)	Home page provides resources and information on events including annual international women's trade expo for women producers.	FWEAN is an apex body of Women Entrepreneurs’ Associations in Nepal (WEAN). Focal point for interaction not only with the government but also various national and international organizations and stakeholders.
BPW International (International Federation of Business and Professional Women)	Taskforces for women's health education etc. but none on international trade matters.	The current international theme of the organization is “Empowering Women to Realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. BPW International is one of the most influential international networks of business and professional women with. Has consultative status at various UN bodies.
Wide+ Working Group Gender and Trade	Mission resources activities task forces (including one on gender and trade). Supported motion passed by European Parliament for gender in EU trade agreements.	Is a European feminist network of women’s rights advocates, gender specialists, women’s rights organizations and development NGOs. Monitors EU trade policy from a feminist perspective.